Endoscopy Is Relatively Safe in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke and Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage (GIH) is reported to occur in 1-8% of patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). AIS is considered to be a relative contraindication to GIE. AIMS: Evaluate the outcomes of gastrointestinal endoscopy (GIE) in patients hospitalized with AIS and GIH. METHODS: Patients hospitalized with AIS and GIH were included from the National Inpatient Sample 2005-2014. Primary outcome measure was in-hospital mortality in patients with AIS and GIH who underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy. Secondary outcomes were (1) resource utilization as measured by length of stay (LOS) and total hospitalization costs and (2) to identify independent predictors of undergoing GIE in patients with AIS and GIH. Confounders were adjusted for by using multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 75,756 hospitalizations were included in the analysis. Using a multivariate analysis, the in-hospital mortality was significantly lower in patients who underwent GIE as compared to those who did not [aOR: 0.4, P < 0.001]. Patients who underwent GIE also had significantly shorter adjusted mean LOS [adjusted mean difference in LOS: 0.587 days, P < 0.001]. Patients with AIS and GIH who did not undergo GIE had significantly higher adjusted total hospitalization costs. [Mean adjusted difference in total hospitalization costs was $5801 (P < 0.001).] Independent predictors of undergoing GIE in this population were male gender, age > 65 years, Asian or Pacific race, hypovolemic shock, need for blood transfusion and admission to urban non-teaching hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Gastrointestinal endoscopy can be safely performed in a substantial number of patients with AIS and GIH.

EUS-RFA of the pancreas: where are we and future directions.

Surgical resection remains the gold standard for pancreatic cancer, high-risk pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) and pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs). However, a majority of pancreatic cancers are unresectable at the time of diagnosis. In addition, surgical resection of pancreatic lesions can be associated with morbidity and mortality. A less-invasive alternative therapeutic intervention to avoid short term and long-term adverse events is desirable, as is a minimally-invasive palliative therapy for unresectable or recurrent pancreatic cancers. Endoscopic ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) allows for selective tissue ablation with minimal injury to the surrounding tissue. EUS-RFA of pancreatic tumors has shown high clinical and technical success with acceptable side effects in pancreatic lesions, lymph nodes, and the celiac plexus. This paper will review the pathophysiology, available technology, safety and efficacy, and future directions of EUS-RFA.